Old Timers, once young timers

Photos/words:- Tony Todd

Old Timers, once young timers - Photo by Tony Todd

Some Supporters Club members who, like myself are of a certain age were fortunate to have witnessed some amazing racing of many varieties in the sixties, seventies and eighties. My personal involvement was later as photographer and reporter for Motoring News but initially as a mechanic in the golden era of 1000cc saloons with messrs Clacher, Barton and Bell heading the charge. However this was by no means the only action and a group of drivers from that period was assembled on Sunday afternoon for a bus trip round the circuit with a buffet to follow. The air was crackling with reminiscences and conversations were struck up again as if there had only been a break of forty minutes not thirty or forty years.

The drivers were Left to Right Ken Walker, Brian Morris, Tony Sugden, John Simpson, Joe Lanney in front of Mick Starkey, Jeff Wilson, Andy Barton, Ron Harper in front of Alex Clacher, Jim Adamson, the Beard is sported by John Macdonald and the velvet Collar is worn by Jonny Blades next to Keith Bowmaker and John Absalom.

Ron Harper, who still races the Spitfire, was still able to fit into some of the same clothes.

Dave Manners and Ted Paine joined the group a little later.